Tara Gossage
Wyoming,MI
Summary
Proven leader with extensive experience at KFC(WMCR), adept in operations management and team leadership. Excelled in fostering employee growth, driving a 20% increase in sales through strategic planning and customer relationship management. Skilled in problem resolution and efficient multitasking, I consistently exceed performance goals by leveraging staff training and development. Customer-oriented General Manager with 4 years of experience focused on increasing revenues and expanding margin. Adaptive and deadline-oriented consistently executes and completes multiple projects in high-stress environments. Meticulous leader and strategic planner with comprehensive managerial acumen, offering vision and motivational acumen.
Overview
6
6
years of professional experience
Work History
General Manager
KFC(WMCR)
Grand Rapids
05.2020 - 04.2024
- Managed budget implementations, employee reviews, training, schedules, and contract negotiations.
- Managed a diverse team of professionals, fostering a positive work environment and high employee satisfaction.
- Developed and implemented strategies to increase sales and profitability.
- Cultivated strong relationships with clients, vendors, and partners to ensure long-term success and loyalty.
- Managed budget development, forecasting, and financial reporting processes to track progress towards organizational objectives accurately.
- Maximized efficiency by coaching and mentoring personnel on management principles, industry practices, company procedures, and technology systems.
- Drove year-over-year business growth while leading operations, strategic vision, and long-range planning.
- Developed and maintained relationships with customers and suppliers through account development.
- Established comprehensive employee training programs to develop skills, improve productivity, and maintain compliance with industry regulations.
- Directed comprehensive sales efforts to exceed revenue targets consistently while maintaining customer satisfaction levels.
- Scheduled employees for shifts, taking into account customer traffic and employee strengths.
- Assisted in recruiting, hiring and training of team members.
- Trained and guided team members to maintain high productivity and performance metrics.
- Interacted well with customers to build connections and nurture relationships.
- Handled problematic customers and clients to assist lower-level employees and maintain excellent customer service.
- Tracked employee attendance and punctuality, addressing repeat problems quickly to prevent long-term habits.
- Observed each employee's individual strengths and initiated mentoring program to improve areas of weakness.
- Reported issues to higher management with great detail.
- Implemented innovative programs to increase employee loyalty and reduce turnover.
- Supervised creation of exciting merchandise displays to catch attention of store customers.
Assistant Manager
KFC(WMCR)
Grand Rapids, MI
05.2019 - 05.2020
- Supervised day-to-day operations to meet performance, quality and service expectations.
- Maintained a clean, safe, and organized store environment to enhance the customer experience.
- Developed strong working relationships with staff, fostering a positive work environment.
- Monitored cash intake and deposit records, increasing accuracy, and reducing discrepancies.
- Oversaw daily cash reconciliations, ensuring accurate financial reporting and minimizing discrepancies.
- Improved customer satisfaction by addressing and resolving complaints promptly.
- Offered hands-on assistance to customers, assessing needs, and maintaining current knowledge of consumer preferences.
- Helped with planning schedules and delegating assignments to meet coverage and service demands.
- Managed inventory levels to minimize stockouts while reducing overhead costs.
- Mentored junior staff members in their professional development by offering guidance/support in their assigned roles.
- Generated repeat business through exceptional customer service and responded to customer concerns with friendly and knowledgeable service.
- Assisted in recruiting, interviewing, hiring, and onboarding of new employees to maintain adequate staffing levels.
- Mentored team members to enhance professional development and accountability in workplace.
- Collaborated with the management team to develop strategic plans for business growth and improvement.
- Promoted teamwork within the workplace by encouraging collaboration among staff members on various projectstasks.
- Developed loyal and highly satisfied customer base through proactive management of team customer service strategies.
- Enforced company policies consistently while handling disciplinary actions when necessary with fairness and respect.
- Scheduled staff shifts to ensure proper coverage during peak shopping hours without exceeding labor budgets.
- Facilitated clear communication between employees and upper management through regular meetings and updates.
- Boosted employee morale by recognizing outstanding performance and celebrating team accomplishments.
- Conducted employee performance evaluations, providing constructive feedback for growth and development.
- Created employee schedules to align coverage with forecasted demands.
- Increased employee performance and job satisfaction to strengthen retention and engagement.
- Monitored security to protect employees, customers and property.
- Maintained professional demeanor by staying calm when addressing unhappy or angry customers.
- Maintained positive customer relations by addressing problems head-on and implementing successful corrective actions.
- Established team priorities, maintained schedules and monitored performance.
- Assisted in organizing and overseeing assignments to drive operational excellence.
- Used industry expertise, customer service skills and analytical nature to resolve customer concerns and promote loyalty.
- Trained personnel in equipment maintenance and enforced participation in exercises focused on developing key skills.
- Established performance goals for employees and provided feedback on methods for reaching those milestones.
- Identified and communicated customer needs to supply chain capacity and quality teams.
- Set aggressive targets for employees to drive company success and strengthen motivation.
Shift Manager
KFC (WMCR)
Grand Rapids, MI
01.2019 - 05.2019
- Handled escalated customer issues effectively, demonstrating strong problem-solving skills while upholding company values and standards.
- Trained new employees on company policies, procedures, and job responsibilities, ensuring seamless integration into the team.
- Trained and mentored new employees to maximize team performance.
- Improved overall team performance by effectively delegating tasks and providing clear instructions.
Crew Member
KFC(WMCR)
Grand Rapids, MI
10.2018 - 01.2019
- Worked front counter, drive-thru and other areas.
- Took orders, prepared meals, and collected payments.
- Demonstrated strong multitasking abilities, handling multiple orders simultaneously without compromising quality or efficiency.
- Worked well with teammates and accepted coaching from management team.
Education
Grandville High School
05.2009
Skills
- Leadership and team building
- Problem Resolution
- Operations Management
- Team Player
- Efficient multi-tasker
- Effective leader
- Training and coaching
- Team Leadership
- Staff Management
- Customer Relations
- Training and Development
- Relationship Building
- Staff Training
- Staff training/development
- Inventory Control
- Customer Relationship Management
- Staff Supervision
- Employee Scheduling
- Verbal and written communication
- Administrative Skills
- Motivation
- Staff Motivation
- Labor Cost Controls
- Consistently meet goals
- Performance Improvements
- Staffing
- Workflow Planning
- Troubleshooting expertise
- Data review
Timeline
General Manager
KFC(WMCR)
05.2020 - 04.2024
Assistant Manager
KFC(WMCR)
05.2019 - 05.2020
Shift Manager
KFC (WMCR)
01.2019 - 05.2019
Crew Member
KFC(WMCR)
10.2018 - 01.2019
Grandville High School